Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Hava Nagila in Sri Lanka

The Israel Sri Lanka Solidarity Movement (ISSOM) organized an event on May 14 at Vihara Maha Devi Open Air Theatre to mark the 75 years since the Jewish State’s establishment. The event was attended by a crowd of around 2,000 who expressed solidarity with Israel.

The event was also graced by an interfaith and interethnic panel which also included a delegation of Sri Lanka’s indigenous people.

Last Sunday’s event showcased Sri Lanka and Israel’s historic interactions going back 3,000 years when the island traded spices, precious stones and exotic fauna with ancient Jewish kingdoms.

This was followed by short films on Israeli innovations in the field of medicine, education and agriculture that it is open to share with Sri Lanka. Video greetings were also shared from Israel including members of the Knesset.

The Kelaniya University dance troupe performed a rendition of the Jewish folk song ‘Nagila Hava’ with a Sri Lankan twist.

Enjoy!

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